Netflix Is NOT Dead, Biotches!

For the last few days, I've been reading reports on various websites about Netflix, and how the company is starting to show signs of weakness. On Yahoo especially, there have been more than a few reports talking about how Netflix did not beat the Wall Street expectations in the third quarter 2012, and how signs are showing that the streaming service is starting to fail.

Well, quite frankly, that's just a bunch of crap.

I've heard the same sentiments before. A few years ago, Blockbuster was supposed to be the ones that was coming to knock out Netflix once and for all. After all, Blockbuster had plenty of walk-in stores. Now, they were going to add a rent by mail service that was supposed to rival Netflix. The idea was that the one-two punch was going to deliver a knockout blow.

Well, that didn't happen. Instead, five years later, it's Blockbuster that has gone bye-bye. And Netflix? Well, their stock rose almost eightfold since those days.

But now, those same type of rumors, signaling the demise of Netflix are in the air again. Never mind the fact that they are still the number one online streaming service, the number one rent by mail service, and the most recognizable brand in both of those arenas. If you listen to the naysayers, it's time to start preparing the coffin for Netflix.

Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.

Let me go on a rant for a few minutes, and tell you exactly why Netflix isn't going anywhere.

1. Netflix is still growing.

Users in the coming quarter. Netflix themselves came out and said that their subscriber base will only grow to about 200,000 more users in the next quarter. That's still more than the projected growth in revenues for other streaming services. Netflix actually added almost 2,000,000 more members since the beginning of the year. And as they state, quarter 2  has always been a slow period for Netflix growth.

The truth of the matter is, Netflix has experienced a 21% first-quarter revenue growth since last year.

2. The other streaming services suck.

Wal-Mart's going to try it again. This will be the third time Wal-Mart has tried to enter the arena of movie streaming. Did you know about it the first two times they tried? Probably not. And even though there may be one or two good movies available on demand through Wal-Mart's VUDU streaming service, it can't match Netflix. And why would you want to stream the newest movie for $3.99, when you can go down to your local Redbox and read it for only one dollar? It doesn't make sense, and in the end, Wal-Mart is going to fail again.

And what about Amazon.com's streaming service? Well quite frankly, they're not much different. A lot of newer movies, but you are still lacking in the classics category, without paying just as much for a 30-year old movie, if you cared about such a thing.

The daunting question still remains: why would you pay $3.99 for a digital rental, when you can go down to Redbox, or your local video store and rent it for significantly less? It doesn't make sense.

3. Netflix users are more loyal than you think.

Don't let the reports of former subscriber outrage fool you. The truth is, more people stayed with Netflix than left. Sure, people were mad when they found out they had to pay extra for streaming, but the majority of users just chose etween one or the other. I had both, now I just use  streaming. And those of us who are relatively cheap like it that way.

$7.99 a month for unlimited Netflix streaming is still a better deal than one channel on cable. I have both Netflix and DirecTV, and when I do want to see something new, I walk down to my local video store and get it. I have a Redbox account, but I use it maybe once or twice every other month.

Simply put, I like the diversity of Netflix. I like having to think about what it is I want to watch, and on the backend, they seemed to honor my request and add more content to my liking.

And when I recently took into consideration the prices for the DVD service, it made me think, and now, I'm thinking about restarting my DVD mailing service on Netflix. Two DVDs at a time is only $20. That means that you can pretty much watch six new movies a week for $20 a month, if you return the movie after viewing it immediately.

Six movies a week times, four weeks a month, equals 24 mailer movie rentals, plus all the streaming movies that you want.

Seriously people, you're going to complain about that?

4. Netflix is branching out.

One thing that the larger studios in Hollywood realized over the last 15 to 20 years was that they were going to have to diversify and order to survive. It's one of the reasons why you see Disneyland California Adventure, Universal Studios Orlando Florida, and the like. It's why you see Star Trek licensed practically everywhere, including Las Vegas. The bigger you are, the more legs you have to prop yourself on.

Netflix is no different. As of this year, Netflix has begun licensing and creating its own programming. "Lilyhammer" is its first offering, a comedy/drama about a mobster that's relocated to.of all places, Norway. It stars Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen fame, and it's pretty good.

They are also in the midst of producing new episodes of the Fox cult classic "Arrested Development" as well as some other original programming. Also in the resurrection rumor mill: CBS's "Jericho", and Comedy Central's "Reno 911".

It has been estimated that Netflix will spend anywhere from $75 million-$100 million over the next few years creating new content for its subscribers... and its subscribers only.

In other words, instead of crying about the movie studios taking their ball and going home, Netflix is creating their own ball. "Lilyhammer" has already been certified as a hit, and will be back as soon as more episodes can be made, probably sometime next year.

Original content puts Netflix way ahead of the other streaming services in this regard.

Enough with my defense of Netflix. People are just going to hate. That's just the way it is. But to say that Netflix is beating its last breath like some of these articles have irresponsibly is just ridiculous. Netflix is a great deal for the money. And if you haven't plunked down $20 a month for the streaming service with the mailer service, or even tried just the streaming, then you should just keep your mouth shut, and grumble to yourself.

If you want to check out Netflix, go here.

Janet Jackson Whores Out For Nutrisystem

Now, when I think about Janet Jackson, I think about the 80s, the "Rhythm Nation" album, those years on "Good Times" when she played that cute little kid. After "Rhythm Nation 1814", it all went south for me. Janet Jackson suddenly tried to become sexy. Which I know works for a lot of people. Don't judge me, it just didn't work for me. Except in examples like above. Then it worked for me A LOT.

Well, Janet Jackson got old. And when people get older, they tend to put on a few pounds. And, when you're in music, and put out an album every 3 to 5 years, you really put on the pounds, especially when you hide in a cave somewhere, eating bonbons in between said albums. I think we all remember when Janet came out on hiding long enough to mourn her brother Michael's death a few years back. To say that she put on a few pounds since we saw her in public last would have been an understatement at best. In other words, little Janet was a little chubby.

So, like many other celebrities, Janet Jackson fell to peer pressure as well as a few dollar bills being waved in her face, and decided to whore herself out to Nutrisystem. And, of course, the results were absolutely amazing. Or so you are led to believe.

We all know that Janet Jackson has been known to wear a corset from time to time, but either she is wearing the tightest corset ever made, or she's been photoshopped to the extreme in the photo that the company officially released the other day. It doesn't seem to compare to her commercial, which we've also posted below. I don't know, you be the judge. Based on the photo posted below, should Janet Jackson release another album, or should she join the circus with the Invisible Man and the Bearded Lady? You decide!

Janet obviously opted to break a rib or two to get into Vampira's old dress.

In any case, Janet has always known how to get herself into fighting shape when tour time comes around. The question is, will she keep the weight off? After all, this isn't just about a paycheck, it's about a lifestyle change...right? Time and the paparazzi cameras will tell...

Kelsey Grammer Is Not Thinking This Through, Part 5

Oh Kelsey Grammer, aren't you just a romantic!

I mean, if anybody should know about romance, it's Kelsey Grammer. After all, he met his first wife, got married for eight years and was separated six of those years, his second wife was a stripper, and that marriage lasted exactly one year, his third wife was a girl he met at a bar, and broke up with a year later, in his fourth wife was a former Playboy model. If any man is a model of rock solid relationships, it's Kelsey Grammer.

But make no mistake, he's learned his lesson. Wife number five will be the one. It would be a woman that he will spend the rest of his life with! How do I know? He's getting inked, brother!! Radar Online reports:

Kelsey Grammer got his first tattoo this weekend and inked his fourth wife’s name, Kayte Walsh, onto his hip.
The 57-year-old actor got the design at Insight Studios in Chicago on Saturday.
PHOTOS: Camille Films Real Housewives
He came in with Kayte, who he tied the knot with last year following his split with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Camille Grammer.
“Kelsey was so enamored with his wife -- it was all about her," an eyewitness tells RadarOnline.com.
"It was obvious that he really cares a lot about her.  He loves her so much he wanted to do something special.

There is nothing that screams the word "desperate douche" more than being a 57 year old guy that's been married four times and is trying to hang on to what semblance of youth or recognition he has. And nothing screams desperation more than a 57-year-old man getting a tattoo. But then again, I guess if you write a wife's name of your body somewhere today, you'll remember who to make out the alimony checks to five years from now.

Kanye West And Kim Kardashian Are An Item

Now I know what you're saying. You're saying that the idea of Kim Kardashian hooking up with Kanye West is far beyond anything you can think of. I mean, the thought of Kim Kardashian hooking up with a famous rich black guy, and Kanye hooking up with a girl with a big ass is TOTALLY not like them, right? And hey, I ain't saying she's a gold digger...but she ain't messin' wit no...aw, you get it. TMZ and the rest of the free world reports:

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are dating ... for real ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us the relationship is "just starting." The two were photographed on their way out of a movie date to see "Hunger Games"  in NYC last night (above).

Apparently, Kanye has been after Kim for a while -- he just released a new song, "Theraflu" ... in which he says he had feelings for the reality star while she was dating Kris Humphries.

"And I admit I fell in love with Kim ... 'Round the same time she fell in love with him ... That's cool, babygirl, do your thing ... Lucky I ain't had Jay drop him from the team."

Kanye is referring to Jay Z -- who owns the NJ Nets ... the team Humphries plays for.

The report failed to mention that the reason that Kim had to take the walk of shame was because after a long night, the room was too full of cheeks and egos. Let it process, let it process...

Madonna Is Looking For (Some) Molly

Madonna is a self-delusional dope who, like the groundhog she is, has to stick her head out a hole every few years to show the world that she's still relevant. This season, she must have seen spring because she hasn't gone back into her hole since the SuperBowl.

So, to prove that she's still relevant, and not the 53-year old quasi-British wannabe old hag hanger on that she truly is, she dropped a new album this year, entitled MDNA, an obvious play on MDMA, the technical name for the drug Ecstasy. She went further by making the album a club / techno / house oriented record, using producers such as William Orbit, Martin Solveig and Benny Benassi, all house and techno type dudes.

Well, when she dropped a comment about MDMA at a recent concert, she was called on it by DJ DeadMau5. Then, the fun began in earnest. Isn't it always fun when stuff gets dropped at raves? (See what I did there?? HA!!)  TMZ reports:

Madonna says DeadMau5 is DeadWrong ... claiming she was NOT promoting drug use at a concert in Florida ... despite allegations she used her stage time to glamorize the drug ecstasy.

Deadmau5 -- one of the most famous DJs in the world -- had attacked Madonna as a "f**king idiot" for asking the crowd at the Ultra Music Festival if anyone has "seen Molly" -- Molly is a slang term for the active ingredient in ecstasy.

Now, Madge is lashing back ... with a pair of mouse ears.

The Material Girl posted a photo of herself in Mickey Mouse gear ... with the caption, "From one mouse to another I dont support drug use and i never have. I was referring to the song called "Have You Seen Molly" written by my friend Cedric Gervais who I almost worked with on my album."

Deadmau5 saw the tweet and replied ... saying, "Fair enough, I was just voicing my concerns as I usually do. +1 respect for clearing it up personally ... regardless, just be a little more aware of what you should represent at EDM events, and I'll watch my mouth."

Madge replied ... "Communication is always best. You should have called me first, we could have cleared it up 'privately.' ;) See you on the road."

What the hell ever. The only thing this stupid song says is "Help me find Molly," "Molly makes me want to dance," and just about every other "Mary Jane" influenced innuendo you can throw into a crappy 8-minute techno song. DeadMau5 (correctly) calls out Madonna for a flippant use of a terminology of a drug that has resulted in numerous deaths and hospitalizations over the the last few years at underground parties and raves, and DeadMau5 folded like a worn out futon when the Queen weakly counters his call out. Not that I had any respect for techno music anyway, but both of these artist should go looking for Molly and never come back. Oh, that wasn't me saying they should both OD on Ecstasy. Honestly, I didn't mean that at all. I was talking about Molly Ringwald. Yeah, that's it. Loved her in "16 Candles."

Here's the song "Help Me Find Molly":

Another New Avengers Trailer

Yes, I know this week is all about "The Hunger Games", but I always like to rage against the light. So, here's another trailer for "The Avengers". Make sure you use the bathroom BEFORE you watch it, or you may wet your pants uncontrollably, like I did. Hey, I admitted it. Don't judge me, dude. I now officially knows how my German Shepherd feels now when she gets excited and can't control herself, and goes all Snoopy Happy Feet on me. so I'll never get mad at her again.

Take THIS, Katniss!!!

Ray J Didn't Know Whitney Was Coking Up

So, everyone knows that Whitney Houston and Ray J (AKA Brandy's Little Brother) had been "very close friends" for a long time. They were deemed an "alleged couple in 2007, 2009, and again just weeks before her death. But even though everyone in Hollywood knew about Whitney's drug problems, including family, friends, music executives, Oprah, spacemen, highlanders, deepsea divers, and, oh, everyone else on the planet that breathes air, the one person that didn't was Ray J. Can you believe it? TMZ reports:

Ray J is pissed that people are accusing him of being Whitney's enabler and, even worse, fueling her with the fatal dose of cocaine.

Ray J's rep tells TMZ ... the singer had NO KNOWLEDGE that Whitney was using again.

The rep says Ray J is especially upset at claims made by Bobby Brown's sister, Leolah Brown, who went on TV Thursday night and suggested Ray J was to blame for Whitney's demise.  Ray J says the claim is absolute B.S.

Now, there's probably no way we'll ever know for sure about Ray J and Whitney, because, as we all know, Ray J. likes to keep things on the downlow. Like that time he dated Kim Kardashian. Good thing he kept that under wraps. It might have totally ruined her reputation.